Annexation process can proceed

DUNKIRK — The process of annexing land for a proposed apartment development can now begin to move forward.

Dunkirk City Council heard updates Monday regarding plans for the 10 acres of property on the south side of the city.

Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation purchased about 10 acres of property located east of Dollar General (1001 S. Main St.) with plans for the city to construct a street extending east from Indiana 167. It would then turn south and run the length of the property. The goal is to build 32 apartment units along the street.

City attorney Wes Schemenaur explained Monday that financial advisory firm Baker Tilly has completed an asset management plan, which outlines projected additional costs to the city if it annexes the property.

“There’s really no meaningful additional cost to the city,” he said, noting that police and fire service are already provided and that sewer and water lines are already in place.

With the asset management plan in place, Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation has approved a petition to proceed with the annexation.

Schemenaur explained the process that will follow:

•Nov. 24 — The petition will be filed with city council during its regular meeting

•Dec. 2 — Annexation will be advertised in the newspaper

•Dec. 22 — A public hearing will be held on annexation

The ordinance is published, and there is a 30-day waiting period during which anyone can appeal the annexation. If there is no appeal, the annexation will go into effect in late January.

Schemenaur also updated council members Jesse Bivens, Christy Curts, Randy Murphy, Donna Revolt and Dan Watson regarding progress on transferring 19 properties to Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation. Jay County Commissioners gave their approval earlier Monday to begin the process of transferring those properties, which have already been through two tax sales. Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation will now need to officially indicate its interest in the properties, with commissioners then to likely award them on Nov. 24.

Notices will then be sent out to the current property owners. They will have 120 days to take action to claim the properties before they are transferred to Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation in early spring 2026.

Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins said four or five of the properties have homes on them that will need to be torn down, while most are empty lots that need to be cleaned up.. The city has been working with Jay County Development Corporation on plans to attract developers to build homes on the lots.

“I think we can turn them around and get the property taxes coming back in,” said Robbins.

The council also discussed plans for updates to the city’s zoning ordinance. Robbins noted various areas that need to be changed or added, including rules for golf carts, mobile homes, the size of residences, RVs for permanent housing, food trucks and storage units.

Also addressed was the possibility of increasing the city’s buffer for zoning, which is currently a half-mile. (Portland has a 2-mile buffer.)

Schemenaur said any change to the buffer will likely require collaboration with officials in Jay, Blackford and Delaware counties, all of which would be affected by the change.

Council members approved hiring civic engineering and planning firm Abonmarche to work on updating city ordinances.

In other business, the council:

•Hired Engineering Resource Inc. to update the city’s asset management plan for its streets. The plan is required in order to apply for Community Crossings grant funding through Indiana Department of Transportation.

•Approved payment of claims totaling $266,809.98.

•Heard the following updates:

   —The city’s park restrooms are closed for the winter.

   —The annual Turkey Drop is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Webster Depot Park.

   —Leaf pick-up will be held on Thursdays in November with the exception of Thanksgiving. Residents should bag leaves and place them by the street.